Combined access scuttle and light fixture



Dec. 20, 1966 H. L. HERMAN COMBINED ACCESS SCUTTLE AND LIGHT FIXTURE Filed Jan. 21, 196s I Fla. 3,

RM w/ m. w m w Dec. 20,1966 H. L. HERMAN 3,293,428

COMBINED ACCESS SCUTTLE AND LIGHT FIXTURE Filed Jan. 2l, 1966 2 Sheetshee 2 Aff@ INVENTOR. T

United States Patent C) 3,293,428 COMBINED ACCESS SCUTTLE AND LIGHT FIXTURE Harold L. Herman, Burbank, Calif., assigner of one-half to Irving Herman, Encino, Calif. Filed Jan. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 522,034 8 Claims. (Cl. 240-78) This application is filed as a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 469,091, filed July 2, 1965.

This invention relates to both access and lighting and is particularly concerned with a wall or ceiling scuttle wherein the lid and/or cover-light therefor serve functions in both an access scuttle and a lighting fixture, it being a general object of this invention to provide a single structure which is adapted to serve at least dual purposes as both a scuttle and as a lighting fixture.

In the construction of buildings and the like, walls and particularly ceilings are provided with access openings and are also provided with lighting fixtures. The separate requirements of both access and lighting are especially necessary in constructing hallways and corridors, and like compartments such as storage rooms, where the access to attic areas and the like is usual and where outside or adjacent light sources are not readily available. Therefore, halls and the like are the usual place for access openings to attic areas and the like and the usual place for at least one lighting fixture. Further, closed ofi areas of buildings, such as attics, are usually unlighted as such and are darkened areas that require temporary lighting.

An object of this invention is to provide a scuttle and light combination wherein the functions of a closeable access are related to the lighting of the compartment that is closed. With the present invention there is a sizeable scuttle for use as a portal and human access or passage to attic areas and the like, and the elements of which function as a lighting fixture which comprises the scuttle frame, lid and cover-light therefor.

Another object of this invention is to provide dual purpose lighting in a combination scuttle and fixture structure and which is adapted to selectively illuminate the inward or underlying attic area. With the combined scuttle and lighting fixture structure of the present invention the lighting means is selectively maneuverable to various positions as circumstances require in order to adapt or thereby convert the scuttle-fixture combination from a hall light to an attic light, so to speak.

It is another object of this invention to provide-a combined scuttle and light unit wherein the light is electrically powered and remains intact but moveable so as to shift out of the access area when so required. With the combined scuttle and light fixture that I provide it is possible for a person to pass through the scuttle portal without danger of snagging onto obstructions and without danger to the light per se.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a multi-purpose structure or device of the character thus far referred to and which involves a combination of elements cooperatively related to firstly function as a hall light or the like, convertible so as to secondly function as an attic light or the like, and exposable with elements thereof retractile so as to thirdly function as a scuttle or portal while simultaneously serving the second mentioned function.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed descripframe-base A to be used as a portal.

3,293,428 Patented Dec. 20, 1966 tion of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

In FIG. l of the drawings I have shown a typical attic view of the combined scuttle-light, with the elements thereof assembled so as to serve a first function as a ceiling lighting fixture. In FIG. 2 of the drawings the scuttlelight is shown as it appears as a finished decorative fixture, the view thereof being taken from below and in the hall or compartment that is illuminated thereby. FIG. 3 is an enlarged structural section of the scuttle-light installation with the elements thereof placed as shown in the proceeding figures.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings I have shown a second attic view of the combined scuttle-light, conditioned so as to serve second and third functions as an attic light and attic access. FIG. 5 is an enlarged structural section of the scuttle-light as it appears as a modified fixture in FIG. 4, and with certain elements replaceably withdrawn and the retractile elements maneuvered so as to ternporarily convert the structure to said attic light and access scuttle.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged detailed views of portions of the structure, FIG. 6 being taken as indicated by line 66 on FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 being a perspective view of a sub-assembly as it appears removed from the completed structure.

The access and lighting fixture of the present invention is primarily a scuttle as well as primarily a dual purpose light, and it is useful where attic access and hall lighting are concurrent requirements. Scuttles as such are required by codes and must be of adequate and/or more than minimum size. Furthermore, such a scuttle cannot be encumbered with obstructions or any hindrance to the passage of a person therethrough. To this end, therefore, the scuttle portal must comprise an open door-like structure. Lighting fixtures as such are not only desirable in halls and corridors, but in many instances are required by code to be installed according to strict standards. To this end, therefore, the lighting fixture must connect to a power conduit or like wiring W and must provide for the enclosure of all electrical wiring, and associated elements. Thus, it is with all the expected codes and `requirements in mind that I provide the access and lighting fixture of the present invention, to serve functionally as an attic crawl hole, as a decorative and efiicient ceiling lighting iixture and as a utilitarian and efficient attic lighting fixture.

In accordance with the invention, I provide generally,

v a scuttle frame and fixture base A, a scuttle lid and fixture reflector B, a scuttle -cover and fixture light C, securement means D to couple the frame-base A and the cover-light B, and a retractile light E. The frame-base A is the foundation element of the device forming a surrounding casing and which is adapted to be permanently installed in the building structure S. The lid-reflector B is a withdrawable and replaceable element and which is adapted to be removed out of normal placement so as to permit the The cover-light C is also a withdrawable and replaceable element and which is adapted to be removed out of normal placement so as to permit a person to enter through the first mentioned frame-base A. The retractile light E is maneuverable to serve dual purpose, either as the illuminating element when the scuttle-light is conditioned as a ceiling fixture or as an attic light. As is shown, the usual building structure S involves ceiling joists 10 upon which the ceiling plaster 11 or other suitable surface is carried. Spaced headers 12 extend between a pair of joists in order to establish a rectangular or square opening 13, which is the area speciied as the access opening. The building construction is secured together in the usual manner as by nails.

The scuttle frame and fixture base or frame-base A is a prefabricated part proportioned adequately according to size requirements and made of Imaterials according to electrical erquirements, so as to properly qualify as both a scuttle and a lighting fixture. The size can vary in diierent communities although a twenty-six inch square opening is suticient in most localities. The material is sheet metal so as to be tireproof and all edges thereof are rolled or turned so as to avoid sharpness that would otherwise be detrimental to clothing, etc. In other words, the framebase A is a smooth and presentable iinished piece of metal work.

As shown throughout the drawings the frame-base A involves two pairs of parallel side rails and 16 joined at four right angularly related corners 17. The side rails 15 and 16 are essentially dat plate-like elements disposed in vertical planes and adapted to lie flat against the joists 10 and headers 12 respectively. In order to secure the frame-base A in working position relative to the building structure, the side rails 15 and 16 are provided with laterally projecting and horizontally disposed mounting anges 18. The flanges 18 are in a common plane and are fastened to the underside of the joists and headers. Further, the lower marginal portions of the rails 15 and 16 depend so as to underlie the flanges 18, the lower edge being parallel thereto, and to provide a plaster stop whereby the ceiling at and surrounding the scuttle of the present invention can be accurately nished for engagement by the cover-light C to be later described.

In accordance with the invention the frame-base A not only involves the frame features above described but also involves the features of an electrical lighting xture base. Therefore, the frame-base A that is adapted to be permanently installed in the building structure S includes an electrical junction box 20, an enclosure seat 21, and a service plate 22. The junction box 2t) is a small sized rectangular box of pressed metal with a removable cap for access into the same. In carrying out the invention the junction box is located in or close to a corner 17 of the frame-base A and fixed onto the inside thereof so that it is as far removed as possible from the useable portion of the access area or opening 13. The enclosure seat 21 projects from and occurs at the inside faces of therails 15 and 16 and is of limited inward extent. Said seat 21 is best illustrated in FIG. 6 where it is shown as a channel-shaped projection yof the wall forming the rail, and located immediately below the uppermost edge of the rail. The seat 21 is parallel with the flange 18, and as well with the uppermost and lowermost edges of the rail, and it is characterized -by generous and large radii whereby sharp corners are eliminated. The service plate 22 is confined to a relatively small corner area of the structure so as to condemn but a minimum of the 4access area when the scuttlelight is used as a portal. In practice, the area occupied by the plate 22 is triangular, diagonally disposed at the corner 17, such an area being virtually unused when a rectangular opening is used as a portal. As is shown, the service plate 22 is secured iiat against the seat 21, permanently, with a smooth rounded diagonally disposed edge 23, and with a service opening 24 located close to the said corner 17. The service plate 22 passes a service conduit 25 which extends therethrough and to the junction box for electrifying the scuttle-light xture. Said conduit is the permanent wiring of the building structure S.

In accordance with the invention the withdrawable and replaceable lid-reflector B is provided and which is adapted to be temporarily removed out of normal placement where it serves as aclosure and/ or as a reflector, so as to permit use of the frame-base A as a portal. The lid-reliector B is a dat planar element, preferably made of thin sheet metal as is the remainder of the structure, with turned edges to avoid sharpness. The lid-reflector B is sized for reception within the contines of the rails 15 and 16 and so that it rests upon the enclosure seat 21, and when it is in position it establishes an enclosure for the lighting lix'ture which opens downwardly as clearly illustrated. Accordingly, the one corner of the lid-reflector B is truncated so as to have overlapped engagement with the service plate 22, while clearing the service conduit 25. The lid-reiiector B rests against and preferably atop the seat 21 and is provided with a light reflective surface that directs light downwardly. Further, the lid-reector B is provided with manually operable fasteners for securement of the same in working position, as by releasable engagement with the seat 21, as shown.

The scuttle cover and iixture light or cover-light C is a unit of construction proportioned to completely underlie the opening 13 and is made to pass and diluse light, functioning as both a scuttle cover and as a lighting fixture lens. To this end, the cover-light C involves a decorative panel 30 with marginal rails 31 engageable with the ceiling surface immediately adjacent the lower edges of the rails 15 and 16. In practice, the panel and rail structure is rather flexible in order to conform with any planar discrepancies that may develop in the ceiling, and the required decorative and lighting effects are obtained without fragileness. As shown, the four marginal rails 31 are alike, each with a wall 32 normal to the plane of the ceiling and underlying face 33, and an upturned lens supporting lip 34. The rails 31 are sheet metal parts with the corners suitable mitered and joined so as to form a square frame with upper edges of the rails engageable against the ceiling.

The panel 3@ can be .made of various materials, transparent and/or translucent, and is preferably a transparent plastic material with a prismatic surface that promotes light distribution. As shown, the panel 30 has a flat upper face 34 and a prismatic bottom face 35. For example, the face 35 is comprised of a plurality of adjacent hexagonal prisms, each of which diffracts light in -a multiplicity of directions. As a result, the light from the one centrally located lamp 53 is dispersed laterally so as to effectively illuminate a compartment such as a hallway.

The securement means D that couples the iixture-lite B to the frame-base A normally functions to yieldingly urge the fixture-light C into pressured engagement with the surrounding ceiling surface, it is operable to permit limited retraction of the fixture-light C from the ceiling surface and to hold the same at said limited position, and it is operable to facilitate complete release 4or the xture-light C from the frame-base A to which it is otherwise attached. To these various ends the securement means D involves one or more links 40 extending from one part and inserted into brackets 45 secured to the other part. In practice, the xture-light C is somewhat ilexible in which case securement means D is provided at opposite side rails thereof. Further, it is preferred that the links 40 extend from the fixture-light C, in which case the brackets 45 are secured to the frame-base A.

The links 40 that extend from the fixture-light B are of substantial length, say for example three or four inches in length, and each link is comprised of a pair of arms 41 and 42. The arms 41 and 42 are alike and preferably identical, each arm being pivotally connected at one end to the part to be coupled. In this instance the arms 41 and 42 are pivoted to a pin 44 projecting inwardly from a support 46 on the side rail of the xture-light C each arm being a straight element and adapted to diverge one from the other. The arms 41 and 42 are biased so as to diverge toward a alignment, and to this end it is preferred that the two arms be integrally formed of a length of spring wire and joined together by spring coils 43 surrounding the pin 44 that is headed so as to loosely capture the coiled portion.V Further," each arm 41 and 42 has a hook at its free terminal end, said hooks facing outwardly or away from each other. The brackets 45 of the coupling means D are provided to cooperatively receive the extended arms, to advantageously employ the resilient bias thereof to nor- -mally urge the fixture-light C into tight engagement with the ceiling, the bracket being characterized by a pair of opposite seats established by providing a slot 47 and that embrace the divergent arms. Because there is a tendency for the arms 41 and 42 to bow slightly as indicated in FIG. 5, the link 4) will remain at either of two positions, the normal installed position of the fixture-light C, and the limited retracted position of the fixture-light C where the hooks engage with the brackets 45. Release of the fixturelight C from the frame-base A is affected by manually pressing the arms 41 and 42 together a distance that permits retraction from the slot.

In accordance with the invention, I provide the retractile light E which is maneuverable to two separately operable positions, in one position operable to illuminate the underlying hall or compartment, and in one position operable to illuminate t-he overlying attic or the like. In the first instance the scuttle-light is conditioned so as to function as a -ceiling lighting xture, and in the second instance the scuttle-light is modified so as to function as a utility light, and in this second instance the device is simultaneously functionable as an access portal between the two compartments that are selectively illuminated thereby. To these ends the retractile light E involves an electric light socket 51 and a light support means 52 therefor extending from the junction box 20 to a light 53. The light socket 51 is a usual screw-base socket adapted to threadedly receive an incandescent lamp S3 or the like, it being understood that the type of light can vary widely as circumstances require. However, the most widely used and therefore most practical light is as shown, and which is advantageously placed close to and at the center of the ceiling plane of the opening 13. To this end, aud according to the preferred form of the invention, the light support means 52 is provided and which shiftably carries the lamp 53 threadedly engaged in the socket 51.

A feature of the invention is the retractability of the light support means 52 and which permits shifting of the lamp 53 from the centered position above described to an elevated position where the larnp 53 is effective for illuminating the space or area located above or behind the said opening 13. To this end the means 52 can acquire various forms adapted to carry the lamp 53 to the two said positions. In practice, however, a frictionally stable and flexibly mounted tube 5S extends from the junction box 20 to the socket 51. As is shown, the tube 55 is a stiff casing that is attached to the junction box 20 by means of a swival or pivot 55, permitting the tube 55 to be moved and/or turned as may be required. The pivot 56 is mounted on the junction box 20 so that the axis thereof is horizontal and disposed diagonally across the corner 17 directly beneath the edge 23 of the service plate 22. The tube 55 with the socket and light is substantially longer than the height of the rails 1S and 16, and is proportioned so as to place the lamp 53 at the center position in the one instance, and to place the lamp 53 substantially above the frame-base A in the other instance. When the lamp 53 is elevated, the tube 55 is stopped -by the edge 23 and extends vertically so that it is removed from the useable portion of the opening 13. It is to be understood that the means 55 can be a flexible element with a rigid mounting to the junction box 2t) and whereby the two extreme positions of the lamp 53 are attainable by simply bending or warping the means 52 between the two positions shown.

From the foregoing description of the structure and functions thereof it will be apparent that a simple and practical multi-purpose device is provided. The functions of an access scuttle .and of a lighting fixture are in no way hindered by each other, and in one instance are simultaneously operable and are enhanced by the provision of lighting for illumination of attic spaces and the like. The normal and decorative use of the scuttle-light provides a complete and acceptable enclosure with reective surfaces for eflicient lighting and simultaneously provides a closure of the scuttle opening, While the conversion effected by withdrawal of the above described replaceable elements and manipulation of the retractile light from the access opening eliminates any encumberances from the scuttle passageway and establishes a free and unobstructed portal that is also illuminated.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

I. An access scuttle -comprising a surrounding casing adapted to be mounted in a room ceiling and of a length to extend substantially through the ceiling wall thereof and of a size to provide a passageway for a person therethrough, said casing having opposite ends thereof open, a light diffuser mounted on one end portion of the casing for opening movement relative thereto and substantially covering said open end thereof, and a lamp device mounted in the casing intermediate the open ends and having lmeans projecting toward the center portion of the casing for supporting a lamp, said lamp device including means for supportably extending the lamp through the other open end of the casing for illuminating an adjacent area.

2. An access scuttle according to claim 1, including a reflector device removably positioned over the end portion of the casing opposite from the light diffuser.

3. An access scuttle according to claim 1, including a relatively flat lid reflector positioned on the end portion of the 4casing opposite from the light diffuser and detachable from the casing in an upward direction.

4. An access scuttle according to claim 1, wherein the lamp device includes a junction box mounted at a side of the casing and the projecting means is relatively rigid and is pivotally mounted on the junction box for swinging movement through said open end of the casing for illuminating the adjacent area.

5. An access scuttle according to claim 1, wherein the casing is rectangular and the lamp device includes a junction box mounted in a corner of the rectangular casing with a relatively rigid arm projecting toward the lcenter portion of the casing for supporting the lamp and which arm is pivotally mounted on the junction box for swinging movement to illuminate the adjacent area.

6. An access scuttle according to claim 1, wherein the 'casing is rectangular and the lamp device includes a junction box mounted in a corner of the rectangular casing with a realtively rigid arm projecting toward the center portion of the casing for supporting the lamp and which arm is pivotally mounted on the junction box for swinging movement to illuminate the adjacent area, and a service plate mounted in said corner of the casing and having an edge portion in the path of swinging movement of the arm for limiting the swinging movement substantially to an upright direction.

7. An access scuttle according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding casing is rectangular and of a size and shape substantially to iit within ceiling joists and adapted to be secured theneto, said casing having a junction box for the lamp device mounted inside the casing for electrical Iconnection thereto without interference by the ceiling joists.

8. An access scuttle according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding casing is rectangular and of a size and shape substantially to lit within ceiling joists and adapted to be secured thereto, said casing having a junction box for the lamp device mounted inside the casing for electrical connection thereto without interference by the ceiling 7 S josts, and a relatively flat lid deector extending over 2,997,575 8/ 1961 Schwartz 240-147 X the upper end of the casing and detachable therefrom. 3,004,148 10/ 1961 Rosalia et a1. 240-147 3,057,993 10/1962 Gellert 240--78 References Cited by he Examiner 3,217,155 11/1965 Caferro et a1 24W-9 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,636,979 4/1953 Schwartz 240 78 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner- 

1. AN ACCESS SCUTTLE COMPRISING A SURROUNDING CASING ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED IN A ROOM CEILING AND OF A LENGTH TO EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGH THE CEILING WALL THEREOF OF A SIZE TO PROVIDE A PASSAGEWAY FOR A PERSON THERETHROUGH, SAID CASING HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF OPEN, A LIGHT DIFFUSER MOUNTED ON ONE END PORTION OF THE CASING FOR OPENING MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO AND SUBSTANTIALLY COVERING SAID OPEN END THEREOF, AND A LAMP DEVICE MOUNTED IN THE CASING INTERMEDIATE THE OPEN ENDS AND HAVING MEANS PROJECTING TOWARD THE CENTER PORTION OF THE CASING FOR SUPPORTING A LAMP, SAID LAMP DEVICE INCLUDING MEANS FOR SUPPORTABLY EXTENDING THE LAMP THROUGH THE OTHER OPEN END OF THE CASING FOR ILLUMINATING AN ADJACENT AREA. 